Sekulic Era Begins with Overtime Victory: Barca Defeats Andorra 101-96, Nebo Shines

In the final 48 seconds of overtime, Josh Nebo was everywhere on the court. He blocked an opponent's shot in the paint, grabbed an offensive rebound on the next possession, then finished with a decisive alley-oop. Three actions. Three decisions. One victory 101-96 against MoraBanc Andorra in a preseason friendly — the opening game of the Svetislav "Peca" Sekulic era on FC Barcelona's bench. The score doesn't matter. What matters is how the Catalan side controlled the second half from the defensive end, exactly following the philosophy the new head coach installed from the very first training sessions. Barcelona enters the 2026-25 season with major changes. After parting ways with the previous head coach, the club trusted the hot seat to Svetislav Sekulic — a Serbian strategist with seven years of experience leading top European clubs. The 52-year-old coach is known for disciplined defensive systems, ball-movement-based offensive play, and developing young players. The game against Andorra wasn't just a fitness test or roster experiment — it was the first picture showing how much philosophy Sekulic had already instilled in his players during the short preparation period. However, that picture still has many gaps to fill. Kevin Punter — Barcelona's primary scorer last season — didn't play. Cam McGriff — the newcomer expected to pressure opposing defenses — was also absent. Tosan Evbuomwan is recovering from a shoulder injury, while Yoan Makoundou couldn't play for personal reasons. This means Sekulic had to build a new game around an incomplete group, with many unfamiliar faces or players who haven't had much time playing together. And from those gaps, stories began to emerge. Three new players joining Barcelona this summer all had notable performances. Josh Nebo, the 2.08-meter American center, made the strongest impression. He played with abundant energy, completed his rim-protection role well, and made crucial finishes in overtime. Nebo's highlight wasn't about long-range shots or flashy individual skills, but physical presence — he was in the right place at the right time, with enough stamina to maintain his performance throughout 45 minutes of actual play. Tyrese Martin, the 24-year-old wing who previously played in the NBA and various European leagues, also left a clear mark. While not as outstanding as Nebo, Martin showed adaptability to the pace Sekulic demands — continuous movement, creating space for teammates, and ready to transition from offense to defense in an instant. Stanley Umude, the European wing, completed his defensive task excellently — particularly important in the final minutes of overtime when Barcelona needed to maintain a safe margin. Mohamed Dabone, the young talent Barcelona has developed through their system for years, made his official first appearance for the senior team. At age 20, Dabone isn't expected to contribute immediately, but receiving playing time in the first friendly shows Sekulic is willing to give opportunities to young players if they demonstrate ability. This is a positive signal for the club's long-term development strategy. Barcelona started the game with dominating play. They completely controlled the first quarter, pushing Andorra back and creating many fast-break opportunities. The hard-pressing style Sekulic emphasized in training sessions was working — Andorra consistently made errors bringing the ball upcourt, creating opportunities for Barcelona to transition from defense to offense. However, basketball always has ways to punish complacency. After halftime, Andorra began finding their rhythm. The visitors from southern France — a mid-table ACB team — started playing more slowly, controlling pace and limiting mistakes. Barcelona, while maintaining an advantage for most of the second half, began showing signs of fatigue. Then, in the final seconds of regulation, Andorra made an unexpected comeback. A series of smooth plays, a three-pointer at the buzzer, and the game went to overtime tied at 88-88. Barcelona led by 14 points at one stage in the second half, but let their opponent equalize — a lesson about maintaining focus for a full 40 minutes. The longest journey begins with a missed shot. Barcelona surrendered a 14-point lead in under 10 minutes, letting a mid-table ACB team force overtime. But that doesn't diminish the value of the victory. Overtime was when Nebo truly shone, when Umude proved his defensive value, when Barcelona showed they can win even without their best players available. Data cannot save a game, but data teaches me how to watch a game. In the 12 minutes of overtime, Barcelona scored 13 points while Andorra managed only 8. That 5-point margin didn't come from sudden individual heroics, but from better ball control, limiting turnovers, and capitalizing on second-chance points from Nebo's offensive rebounds. This is the essence of Sekulic's philosophy — no need for miraculous shots, just control what you can control. However, tactical analysis from this game also raises questions that need answering in the coming weeks. First, Barcelona missing Kevin Punter is a bigger problem than many realized. Punter isn't just the leading scorer — he's also the secondary playmaker, the anchor in the team's spacing system. Without Punter, Barcelona had to rely on more creative solutions, and while Martin and others tried, there was clearly a gap in the offensive flow only Punter could fill. Second, Evbuomwan's shoulder injury needs close monitoring. A partial shoulder dislocation — what doctors call subluxation — isn't a simple injury. Without proper treatment, it can recur and affect long-term career. Barcelona has depth at the versatile forward position, but losing Evbuomwan early in the season will force Sekulic to adjust rotation plans. Third, the Andorra game raises questions about Barcelona's ability to maintain dominance in overwhelming situations. They led by 14 points and let the opponent equalize — this is a sign of inexperience or lack of focus. In the EuroLeague context, where every game has decisive implications, Barcelona cannot let opponents recover from overwhelming deficits. Fourteen seconds of Japan standing still, but the ball has never stopped rolling. That phrase isn't mine alone — it's a philosophy I learned from years of watching top-level basketball. The best teams aren't those that never make mistakes, but those that know how to bounce back from mistakes. Barcelona made mistakes in the final 10 minutes of the second half, but they bounced back in overtime and won. That's what matters. Looking broader, this game provides the first picture of Barcelona under Sekulic. A team playing with fast pace, hard pressing, and relying on contributions from multiple faces rather than a few stars. This style differs significantly from previous seasons, when Barcelona often depended too much on Punter and a few core players. This "team over stars" philosophy has two sides. The positive side is Barcelona will be hard for opponents to study and neutralize — when there's no clear superstar, opponents don't know where to focus. The negative side is in decisive moments, Barcelona might lack someone to carry the game. Nebo did that in overtime against Andorra, but can he maintain that consistency through 60 games of a EuroLeague season? Andorra, despite losing, also deserves recognition. Coach Hervas's team showed the mettle of a well-organized team. They have no standout players, but play with admirable cohesion and discipline. Their comeback at the end of the fourth quarter shows Andorra isn't a team easily intimidated, and they'll be a real challenge for any team in ACB this season. Barcelona won, but that victory is only a beginning. Much work remains — integrating Punter and McGriff into the lineup, monitoring Evbuomwan's recovery, building chemistry between new players, and perfecting Sekulic's tactical system. The Andorra game didn't answer all questions, but it showed the right direction. In the context of the European transfer market, Barcelona is showing a clear strategy — seeking players who can fit into the system rather than stars demanding central roles. Nebo, Martin, Umude — all are players who can adjust their game to the coach's demands. This is a sign of a club building team culture rather than just buying success. When the EuroLeague season starts in three weeks, Barcelona will face much bigger challenges than Andorra. Real Madrid, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos — the top European teams won't let them comeback as easily as Hervas's team did. But if Sekulic continues instilling his philosophy and new players keep adapting, Barcelona can realistically aim for a top-4 EuroLeague position this season. The Andorra game was the first test, not the final one. And Barcelona passed it — not with a perfect score, but by showing they're heading in the right direction. The longest journey begins with a missed shot, and Barcelona just started running.